MOTOR SERIES #14: A Handwheel in a Motor Series video? Cleaning & Greasing Singer 15-91's Hand Wheel

I've included this procedure as part of the Motor Series of videos because Singer's 'Potted Motor' design uses both a motor 'worm gear' as well as a special gear on the handwheel which requires greasing just like the motor gear.

[@katemoore2980]

That is a steel crochet hook used to make doilies, tablecloths, and bedspreads.

[@lbarkley1]

I have cleaned a few hundred of these handwheels in Singer 15, 300, 400 series etc. I have found that kerosene and a soft brush gets the handwheels and the complete sewing machine squeaky clean. Kerosene will not hurt the paint. Afterwards, clean the paint with GOJO (non-pumice) hand cleaner using a soft bristle tooth brush and then wax and polish. Then, since you have cleaned the old grease and oil from the machine, lubricate it again with fresh oil and grease. If you are starting with a nice paint job, this will bring it back to new. It is amazing how much dirt is on these machines that can be removed with Gojo. The dirt is an abrasive and over time will destroy your paint. Keep your machine waxed and the paint will last many years with daily use. Kerosene will clean the grease from your machine without hurting your paint. (REMOVE ALL ELECTRICS FIRST) If you follow these steps and look for a video of cleaning and servicing your motor, you will thing you have a new machine.

[@nicolasmith1460]

Excellent instruction. Precise and accurate. Thanks.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@maria2400]

I followed along & noticed my fiber gear is worn & it needs to be replaced. Thanks so much for your videos. I learn so much.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Great to hear!

[@steventrosiek2623]

You can get a replacement one on Ebay.

[@maryshaver2632]

What kind of gear grease do u use on plastic gear would love to know

[@jeannineroberts6224]

That tool is a steel crochet hook.

[@cocasio7190]

👍 Thanks!

[@sandrabranstiter8247]

Crochet Hook

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thank you Sandra. I knew one of my viewers would help correct me on that. Thanks again

[@sandrabranstiter8247]

I appreciate your time in videoing, I learn best in seeing not just listening. I watched the one on wiring as well. I have a 15-90, but more importantly a 201-2 where the motor was recently rebuilt. Thank you.

[@shortkaike]

What brand of lubricant would you recommend? I don't see a singer brand that looks like yours.

[@rndea100]

can i make a treadle eletric ?? or what about a hand machine can yu add a moter

[@PatriciaSpayd]

I changed a 15-91 machine, putting in a wonderful working motor from a not so pretty machine. I put the motor housing on, then the flywheel, but now the previously happy motor won't turn the pretty machine. I changed the handwheels. Same thing. When the handwheel is off, the machine turns beautifully, but putting on the handwheel (either one) the machine won't turn. Sigh.. what do you recommend? Pretty is as pretty does, but it would be nice to use the shiny pretty 15-91 and not her pitted sister...

[@majidss]

Hi what would you recommend if the handwheel gears aren’t touching the gears of the motor. it’s causing my needle to not go up and down sometimes

[@dianabradley8349]

I recently added this wonderful 15-91 to my collection ❤️ from 1948 in fantastic condition the only thing is the stop motion screw is so tight I can not get it loose I do not want to force it beyond my own strength any tips on what to do? I love your videos thanks 😊

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

There can be hope in getting it loose, but patience and time are your starting point. Try various penetrant oils that you see me showing in videos (Liquid Wrench is one of the most useful, but I would CAUTION you that it is very smelling and does not evaporate quickly like some of the others. The other approach you can use with the penetrants is heat. A hair dryer can be used or heat gun, but with either be EXTRA CAREFUL as the heat can get too hot and cause damage.

[@paula5664]

Did you find a new company where you order singer parts and supplies?

[@marcosmeza1678]

What kind/Brand of grease?

[@santossalazar6456]

Thanks! I bought the same model for $40 but the motor and everything around it looks and smells like burnt, can I fix that? I found a motor at eBay maybe replace it? Or can I adapt a different an new motor?

[@chellychevres2969]

What is a difference between 15- 91 and the 201-2. ..? Thanks

[@berkeleygray5808]

Hi there, sorry, reaching out again. I finally decided to take my machine in to my local repair shop. He works on these machines a bunch, and she's up and running beautifully...EXCEPT, he said that it doesn't need grease AT ALL. I'm only to oil it. I told him I'd gotten in there and cleaned the grease out, and he seemed unphased. Said he never greases them, and neither should I. That it will run for 30 more years with no grease. I still have the "Sew Retro" grease from the featherweight shop, but I'm afraid to use it, but also afraid to sew on it with NO grease in there. Wondering if you'd made any headway in the grease research, and/or had any thoughts on the above.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

It might be helpful to help us understand what part of the machine you are asking about? Some lubrication points on a vintage sewing machine require oil and 'some' models require grease. If the sewing manual calls for "Singer Lubricant" , that is a reference to grease similar to what you found at "Sew Retro". Grease offers lubrication (again ONLY where indicated in the manual) that stays on areas such as gears without flying off as easily as oil will. Also, 'some' sewing machine motors had bearings or bushings that require grease while others require oil. Sewing machine manuals from the vintage era were mostly thorough and were informed by the engineers who designed the machine. Follow the manual's guidance which is going to be more accurate vs. what others 'have heard'!

[@kathrynking7164]

Is Singer Lubricant from 1937 in original tube still good?? Smells ok. It's kind of white/orange.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hi Kathryn. Most assuredly not. I would highly suggest that you do not use that. This is just a generalized definition, but most types of 'grease' are made from oils mixed with solid powders which give them their thick viscosity. Over time, (and it can be just several years), the oil and solids will separate. An example of this is the grease used in stand mixers. Sometimes, you will see oil dripping from them and its due to this grease separation. So you really should not take a chance on what must be very old grease (aka Singer Lubricant)

[@chellychevres2969]

Where else the grease is recommended ? Can we use oil instead of grease? Thanks

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Grease is used any place you have gears and also on "SOME" singer motors that had grease ports. I would never use oil where grease is required. It can cause damage to the machine and ruin motors that take grease.

[@chellychevres2969]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage thanks i have a 201- 2 i just want to be sure , i remember mother using grease only ongears under never oi

[@chellychevres2969]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage thanks!